Anatomical Directional Terms

anatomical position

boy facing forward

arms at the side

palms face forward

feet point forward

superior (cranial)

toward the head (upper or above)

inferior (caudal)

toward the feet (lower or below)

ventral/anterior

further to the front (in front of)

dorsal/posterior

further to the back (in the back of)

medial

toward the midline of the body

lateral

toward the side of the body

proximal

closer to the axial body (toward trunk)

distal

further from the axial body ( further from trunk)

superficial (external)

closer to the surface of the body

deep (internal)

further from the surface of the body

ipsilateral

on the same side of the body

contralateral

on opposite sides of the body

parietal

pertaining to the wall of a body cavity

visceral

pertaining to the covering of an organ